I opened a shop on the Astral Train-Chapter 86

More than ten minutes later.

Yujing Terrace.

Hu Tao was tied up like a dumpling, lying helplessly on the soft grass.

A sunset fruit was stuffed into her mouth, muffling any protests she wanted to make.

Qiqi, with a rare glint of mischief in her eyes, held a chicken feather in her small hand and mercilessly tickled Hu Tao. The funeral director shivered uncontrollably, letting out muffled sounds of protest, but Qiqi remained relentless in her revenge.

Seeing this, Grandma Ping let out a gentle laugh and finally intervened, pulling Qiqi away.

"Alright, alright, children. Let Hu Tao go. She should know she's wrong now."

Hu Tao, desperate for freedom, nodded furiously in agreement.

Qiqi, however, remained firm, still gripping the feather.

"Hu Tao. Devil Qiqi teaches her a lesson."

Grandma Ping smiled and patted Qiqi's head soothingly.

"Qiqi, Hu Tao has realized her mistake. Let's forgive her, okay? She won't try to capture you again."

Qiqi glanced at Hu Tao, who was nodding so fast it seemed her head might fall off.

After a long pause, Qiqi finally relented.

"Okay... Qiqi forgives Hu Tao."

Upon hearing this, Kevin stepped forward and untied Hu Tao.

Finally free, Hu Tao groaned, stretching her sore limbs and rubbing her waist dramatically.

"Oof, that was so uncomfortable. You guys really tied me up well."

Kevin simply shrugged.

"Well, what choice did we have? You've tried to bury Qiqi so many times before."

Then, he asked the question everyone had on their minds.

"By the way, Hu Tao, why are you so obsessed with burying Qiqi?"

Hu Tao huffed, crossing her arms.

"Qiqi is a zombie. Dead people should go to the underworld. It's only natural."

Everyone finally understood the reason behind Hu Tao's persistent antics.

At that moment, Grandma Ping spoke up.

"Qiqi is no longer a zombie. Under Yuri's treatment, Qiqi can now be considered an immortal."

Everyone turned to Qiqi in surprise.

"Immortal?"

Grandma Ping nodded and explained patiently.

"That's right. The reason Qiqi turned into a zombie in the first place was because she couldn't handle the mixed immortal power in her body.

Now, thanks to Yuri's help, the immortal power within her has been harmonized. Her body has transformed into that of an immortal."

A collective look of realization washed over the group.

Just then, Dan Heng arrived.

"There you all are."

Kevin turned to face him.

"Dan Heng? Why are you here? Weren't you helping Himeko decorate the carriage?"

Dan Heng nodded.

"It's done. Himeko asked you, March 7th, and Qingque to go back and choose a room."

March 7th looked confused, pointing at herself.

"But I already have a room. Why do I need to choose again?"

Dan Heng explained.

"The new rooms aren't as big as before. There are six of you, including Klee. From now on, your old room will belong to Klee and her friends."

March 7th finally understood.

"Ohhh, I see. Let's go pick a new one, then."

Kevin turned to the others.

"Do you guys want to come along?"

Hu Tao grinned, still rubbing her waist.

"Sure, we've got nothing better to do anyway."

With that, the group followed Dan Heng to the port, where Topaz and the others were waiting. They soon boarded the train.

As they stepped in, Himeko greeted them with a warm smile.

"Welcome back. How was your day?"

Kevin beamed.

"It was fun! But we've had enough fun. Himeko, we're leaving the day after tomorrow, right?"

Himeko nodded.

"Yes, we are. We still have the family event to attend."

Hearing this, March 7th's eyes sparkled with excitement.

"A family event?! Is it Penacony? No way! That's amazing!"

Kevin raised an eyebrow.

"Penacony? Is it fun?"

March 7th nodded enthusiastically.

"Of course! Penacony is also called the Star of Galas and the Land of Beautiful Dreams. It's famous across the universe!"

Kevin's curiosity was piqued.

"Oh? Then how about we leave tomorrow?"

Himeko chuckled and shook her head.

"We still need to resupply."

Kevin sighed in defeat.

"Alright, then we'll go explore the dungeon tomorrow."

Himeko stood up and looked at the group—Kevin, March 7th, Topaz, and Qingque.

"But first, go pick your rooms."

The four eagerly ran off to claim their spaces.

Kevin turned to the others.

"Which one do you want?"

Topaz waved a hand dismissively.

"I don't mind. They're all the same size."

Qingque smirked.

"I'll take the last one. I plan to set up a Stellar Jade card table in there, and I don't want to disturb anyone."

March 7th quickly claimed hers. frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓

"Then I want the one in the front. I don't sleep well."

Kevin nodded.

"Then I'll take the one next to you."

After settling their rooms, they stepped inside to inspect them.

Kevin's room was empty—no bedding, no mattress, nothing.

Checking his pockets, he realized he only had Mora.

"Guess I'll have to go to Liyue."

Time flew by, and soon it was the next day.

The train crew, Luofu crew, Topaz, and the others returned to the world of Bengtie, officially concluding their Sea Lantern Festival journey.

At the entrance of the Wangshengtang Internet Café, Asmodeus stood watching as Raiden, Shenhe, Barnabas, Furina, Clorinde, and the others prepared to leave.

"Govern your own nations properly when you return. And when the time comes for relocation, don't fall behind. Understood?"

The group nodded solemnly.

Seeing their agreement, Asmodeus gave a satisfied nod.

"I mean it. If I find any issues... Well, let's just say it won't be pleasant. Now, go on."

With that, Asmodeus turned back into the café, ready to resume surfing the web.

Meanwhile, Yae Miko took Raiden by the hand as they bid farewell to Furina and Barnabas before boarding a merchant ship back to Inazuma.

Originally, Yae Miko wanted to return as soon as possible, but Raiden had bought an absurd amount of snacks, desserts, and miscellaneous goods—enough to fill an entire ship.

With no choice, Yae Miko sighed and accompanied Raiden on the slow merchant voyage.

As the ship sailed, Raiden happily munched on flower cakes, flipping through a comic book given to her by March 7th.

Yae Miko sat beside her, amused.

"Raiden, what's your plan once we get back?"

Raiden answered without hesitation.

"Have a meeting, obviously."

Yae Miko sighed dramatically.

"Just a meeting? That won't be enough..."

Furina sat in the carriage, humming a little tune happily while counting the gifts she had brought back for Villette and the others.

"This water is for Villette. I don't know if he'll like water from another world."

Clorinde, sitting beside her, glanced at the inactive portal.

"Lady Furina, where do we put this portal?"

Hearing this, Furina touched her chin, deep in thought.

"Put it in my living room. Didn't they say to place it somewhere ordinary people can't reach? My home is perfect."

Furina figured that if she kept it at home, she could visit Yuri and the others whenever she wanted.

Clorinde nodded.

"Understood."

Furina looked at the flower cakes she had bought earlier and noticed that only a few remained.

"Clorinde, let's stop by that old woman's place later and buy more flower cakes."

Clorinde nodded.

"Yes!"

Afterwards, Furina leaned against the window, leisurely admiring the scenery as the carriage moved along. Any monsters that dared to approach were instantly dispatched by the Knights of Lancelot.

Upon arriving safely at Qingce Manor—and once again emptying the old woman's shop of flower cakes—Furina, Clorinde, and the Knights of Lancelot boarded their ship back to Fontaine.

Inside Yuri's store.

Everyone in the train crew had gathered in Yuri's store.

Yuri pulled out a guest invitation letter from another world.

"A new friend will be arriving soon."

Kevin perked up with curiosity.

"New friend? From where? Xianzhou Luofu?"

Yuri shook the invitation letter.

"From another world. You'll find out soon enough."

With that, he tore the invitation letter apart.

A second later, a portal appeared nearby.

Moments later, a girl with white hair tied in a ponytail and wearing a tight combat suit stepped out.

"Whoa~ Is this the place the voice mentioned? It's totally different!"

The visitor was none other than the protagonist of the Honkai Impact 3rd world—Kiana Kaslana!

Kiana scanned her surroundings and spotted Yuri and the others.

Standing up straight, she introduced herself energetically.

"Hello! My name is Kiana Kaslana! Nice to meet you all!"

The moment Welt saw Kiana, he was stunned.

"Kiana?! Why is it you?"

Kiana turned to Welt, blinking in surprise.

"Teacher Welt! Why are you here? Didn't that voice say this was another world? You're not lying to me, are you?"

She took a closer look at everyone.

"Aunt Himeko! Why are you here too? And dressed like... um, what's that word?"

Welt sighed and rubbed his forehead.

"Intellectual."

Kiana clapped her hands in realization.

"Oh! Yes, intellectual."

March 7th and Kevin turned to Welt.

"Uncle Yang, do you know her?"

Welt nodded.

"Yes, we're from the same place."

Kevin's interest piqued.

"Oh? So Kiana is from your hometown."

Welt hesitated for a moment before adding,

"Sort of. We come from different parallel universes.

The Kiana I know is a very powerful Valkyrie."

Kiana's eyes lit up.

"Teacher Welt, are you saying that I'll be awesome in the future?"

Welt nodded slightly.

"Yes."

Kiana beamed.

"Awesome~ I knew I'd become the strongest Valkyrie of Destiny!"

Yuri smiled and turned to Welt.

"Welt, since you're from the same world, why don't you help Kiana get familiar with the store?"

Welt agreed and guided Kiana around.

After a short tour, Kiana understood her current situation.

The Himeko she had seen was not the same as the one she knew, just someone who looked very similar.

Welt was also not the same Welt she knew, but a future version from a parallel world.

Kiana groaned, rubbing her temples.

"Ugh... my head hurts. Too much information..."

Welt chuckled, watching her struggle.

Some things never changed.

He handed her 200 Stellar Jade.

"Here, Kiana. Take these 200 Stellar Jade and try out the shopping system here."

Kiana's eyes sparkled as she grabbed the currency.

"Nice!"

She dashed toward the bar, eager to buy something.

A few minutes later, Welt sighed in exasperation.

As expected, Kiana happily returned, holding a giant bucket labeled "Super Invincible Luxurious Delicious Instant Noodles."

"Instant noodles~ Instant noodles~ I love instant noodles the most~"

The instant noodles had cost her 20 Stellar Jade.

Originally, Kiana wanted to buy ten buckets, but luckily Welt had stopped her, reminding her to save some for other purchases.

Standing nearby, Xiangling noticed Kiana preparing her meal.

"Kiana, right? I'm Xiangling, the chef here."

Kiana nodded.

"Yep, yep! Nice to meet you!"

Xiangling pointed at the oversized instant noodle cup in Kiana's hands.

"Would you like me to cook it for you? Instant noodles taste even better when properly prepared. I can add some ingredients too."

Kiana's eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Really?! Yes, please! Thanks, Xiangling!"

Xiangling chuckled.

"No problem. Just wait a moment."

Taking the noodles, Xiangling headed into the kitchen.

Meanwhile, Kiana chatted with everyone as she waited.

During their conversation, Kiana learned more about this world, while everyone else gained insight into her own.

Before long, she had already made fast friends with Kevin, March 7th, and Ying, bonding over their shared adventurous spirits.

Listening to Kevin recount his recent experiences, Kiana gasped in awe.

"Wow~ That sounds so exciting! Right?!"

Kevin grinned and patted her shoulder.

"It's not bad. We're heading to our next stop tomorrow—you should come with us."

Kiana's enthusiasm skyrocketed.

"Really?! I'm in!"

Soon, Xiangling returned with a steaming bowl of enhanced instant noodles.

Placing it in front of Kiana, she smiled.

"Here, try it."

Kiana took a deep breath, inhaling the delicious aroma, and nearly melted on the spot.

"It smells sooo good~ Oh my gosh~ I can't wait!"

She picked up her chopsticks, grabbed a bundle of noodles, and took a bite.

The moment the flavor hit her tongue, she froze.

Then—

"THIS IS SO DELICIOUS!! These are the best instant noodles I've ever had in my life! Xiangling, you're amazing!"

Xiangling scratched the back of her head, pleased.

"As long as you like it! Eat up before it gets cold."

Kiana nodded eagerly, happily slurping up her noodles with joyful hums of satisfaction.